ARCATA &GT;&GT; For second-year coach John Davidson, there are still a lot of unanswered questions for the College of the Redwoods women's soccer team.

After last season's 0-12 Golden Valley Conference record, he knows there's a lot to do on the pitch.

However, despite last season's record, he can see the silver lining after only a week into the team's new campaign.

"It's the second year of rebuilding. I shared with the girls that at this point last year, we had three committed players. Now, we have a team that's motivated," Davidson said about the 18 new faces on his squad. "They are inspirational in the fact that there's a lot of heart and a lot of integrity amongst the players. There are players juggling school, work, family and making it happen because they love the game."

The Corsairs only have one returning player from last season — Tina O'Neal.

Davidson cited grade eligibility and class schedules as a reason many players could not return.

Eureka High School alum Kiana Adams will be on the pitch for CR, as well as Florida Atlantic University transfer Cynthia Smith.

But right now, Davidson isn't concerned with individual efforts.

"Because the team is so young, I feel everyone should have equal recognition to begin with, until we can interpret calling people out," Davidson said. "The team is so young — we're really giving everyone a chance to express themselves. The leaders might not be the most vocal or the most skilled. They might come from some of the players that are leading by example.

"We have this really neat blend of people who are older that are coming back, young kids that are trying to go to a Division II school and people who just like the game. And this is the place that's right for them."

After a week into the season, Davidson is mostly focused on the program coming together.

And although they currently run a 4-4-2 formation, he is open to making the system work for his players, not the other way around.

"The system is going to be dictated more on what the players are like," Davidson said. "We aren't going to put the players in a system, we're going to make the system work for the players. We have so many unanswered questions. It's always a work in progress. We want to capitalize on each person's individual strengths.

"Our goal this season is just to improve. Individually, groups, as a team and to establish the style of the program. That's the attitude, the growth mindset, the integrity, that's what's going to keep attracting players."